European Space Policy Institute

Europe seen by ERS-2 satellite

The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) came into being in November 2003, following a decision of ESA Council based on a recommendation of the Long Term Space Policy Committee to ESA's Director General.

The mission of ESPI is to provide decision-makers with an informed view on mid- to long-term issues relevant to Europe’s space activities. In this context, ESPI acts as an independent platform for developing positions and strategies.

The Institute, situated in Vienna (Austria), was co-founded by ESA and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) of the Austrian Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology. Its membership grew steadily to now comprise selected institutions in the space sector such as agencies, operators and companies. The members take care that ESPI can prepare its products in an independent way. For this purpose, the Institute is advised by a Council of high-ranking experts.

ESPI maintains the following product lines:

Reports

Perspectives

Two book series (Yearbook on Space Policy and Studies in Space Policy, both published at SpringerWienNewYork

Position Papers and Memoranda

The Institute supports a network of experts and centres of excellence working with ESPI in-house analysts. ESPI acts as a platform for researchers in the field of space policy through its European Space Policy Research and Academic Network (ESPRAN). It also supports the Presidencies of the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC).

ESPI’s Resident Fellows are generally seconded from the member institutions. The Institute offers opportunities for Research Interns from all over Europe and for Visiting Researchers also from abroad. Thus far, some 19 nationalities have worked in the Institute.

Through its website, ESPI also provides the most comprehensive database on space policy related publications and documents.